Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket

Can't describe how I feel. All I can say is, he brought far more than just the 9000-odd test runs to South African cricket. I actually saw it coming but now that it is reality it hasn't sunk in yet. Our game is losing some big players.

Castle Lager Proteas Test captain, Graeme Smith, will end his 347-match International career after the third Sunfoil Test against Australia at Sahara Park Newlands.

Smith broke the news to his team mates after close of play earlier today.

Speaking of his decision Smith said: "This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life. It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year. I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years-old.

"I have always been someone who has left everything out there on the field for my team and for my country. I'm extremely honoured and proud to have had the privilege to lead so many wonderful players and to have been a part of building the Proteas culture to what it is today. It is a culture that every player can be, and is, immensely proud of," Smith continued.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the support from my parents and brother, my wife and children, my friends, my sponsors, my fans and to Cricket South Africa. I thank and honour the players who I have played with and those who have supported me and helped me to be the person and captain I am today. I have been fortunate to have had many highs, amongst them leading and being part of the best Test team in the world. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell," the 33-year-old added.

Cricket South Africa reacted with surprise to Smith's decision, but CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, was full of praise for the contribution made by one of the true legends of the game.

"Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time," commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. "Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.

"He has captained the Proteas for more than a decade and he will draw a lot more satisfaction from the fact that he leaves our Test team at the top of the world and in such good health rather than from all the personal records he has achieved as the longest-serving captain the game has ever seen in the demanding Test format. He also led South Africa to the World Cup semi-final in 2007.

"I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth innings victory chases of all time. These included setting up the 414 runs chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in 2011.

"His role in setting up the famous 438 win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten.

"He can leave the game with pride and he thoroughly deserves the gratitude of our nation for leading the Proteas with much distinction. From a personal point of view I am thrilled that I was part of the panel that appointed him captain in 2003 when his first major assignment was a tough tour to England and I feel privileged to see him now move on to the next stage of his career. He has been a mighty warrior, a leader of men and an exceptional part of our international cricket.

"Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from Test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind."

Smith made his first-class debut for South Africa at the age of 21, and ends his illustrious career with 17 228 International runs and as the most capped Test captain in the history of the game. "

Wow. That's a surprise. Changing of the guard for South Africa and he's going to be nearly as hard to replace as Kallis.

>>>>>>WHHOOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHH>>>>>>Fascist Dictator of the Heath Davis Appreciation SocietySupporting Petone's Finest since the very start - Iain O'Brien
Adam Wheater - Another batsman off the Essex production line
Also Supporting the All Time #1 Batsman of All Time Ever - Jacques Kallis and the much maligned Peter Siddle.

This would have been a win for benchmark had he not hedged his statement. What a shame this is, could have been a great moment for him where he finally makes up for the embarrassment of Sydney Swans premiership win in 2012.

Was never Smith's biggest fan as a bloke (probably something petty in the back of my mind about him sledging the likes of Vaughan and KP) and was never over-enamoured with his style of batting, the ugly looking shovels through mid-wicket off deliveries from well outside off stump, but he was a big example of mental strength succeeding over technical deficiencies. Of course he had his moments where every bowler thought they could trap him LBW, but his strength through the legside was also to be admired.

South Africa not only lose a top class opening batsman, they lose a player that has gained so much respect from his team and everyone that follows cricket. He could come across brash and arrogant in his younger years but he developed into a very, very fine and hugely respected leader.

Smith was one of the greats, an opening batsman averaging near 50 when most of his matches were played on the spicy South African wickets and a guy who united the South African team, led it with distinction from an early age (both in years and in test matches). He'll be heavily missed by South Africa.